Thanksgiving

Photo courtesy of http://southeastvirginia.blogspot.com

Thanksgiving could quite possibly be my favorite holiday of the year. I love it. Just the fall accents and decorations, the smell of pumpkin pie and turkey in the kitchen, the cold air hitting your cheeks. Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm. Love it.

Growing up, my family's tradition was always to spend Thanksgiving out with my great-grandma in her trailer. Thanksgiving was HER holiday. She loved having everyone over, we'd all bring a dish and it was always fun to catch up with everyone. I have many fond memories of the Thanksgivings spent in Hemet. 

Then I went away to school. I didn't always have the luxury to fly home for Thanksgiving and tradition wasn't the same. I came home here and there but the occasion was sparse.

Then I got married. The week after Thanksgiving in 2007. We spent our first Thanksgiving (in Hawaii) dividing our time between M's family and my family. It seemed ideal. And M's stepfather made a deep fried turkey to DIE for. Life was gonna be good.

Then 2008 came. 

And then we got pregnant.

And then we moved. 2500+ miles away.

And then my parent's split up.

Life changes so fast.

I was a newly minted, pregnant housewife. My due date was less than 6 wks away and I had already been in pre-term labor two times before. I wasn't going anywhere out of a 25 mile radius of the hospital for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was gonna have to come to me.

And it did. 

I researched how to cook a Turkey. I picked up all the goodies. Invited my grandparents, mom and brother over and thus started the Mamaheada Thanksgiving Tradition. It was delightful. And from then on out the Thanksgiving honors were bestowed upon me. 

And when it becomes around this time, I always start to stress, hate and cuss myself out since I have NEVER written down my Thanksgiving menu or recipes. So frustrating when you are trying to plan this year's meals after last year's successes. ERR!!

So here's the menu for 2010:

Baked Turkey stuffed with stuffing

Deep Fried Turkey (courtesy of M)

Sweet Potato Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

Mashed Potatoes

Butter Rolls

Homemade Gravy

Cranberry Sauce

Creamed Spinach

Corn

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Apple Pie

Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Marshmallow Sour Cream Topping

I'm salivating just thinking about it. And can you believe I got everything for the meal for less than $150!!! Awesomeness.

Lots of fun and yumminess to ensue this week. I'll be sure to post recipes when I get the chance ;)